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ARE YOU LUCKY?
Thoughts by Tricia Van Nus
December 2003
I once had a WA local say to
me....."aren't you lucky to get a trip like that" - meaning the
1978 World Championships in Korea. Lucky?...... Lucky? After I had
finished with my reply his ears were burning and he probably wished that he had
kept his mouth closed.
Then much, much later on, I
thought about it - and perhaps indeed I was lucky....
| LUCKY |
to have the "hard work ethic"
that pushed me to keep extending myself - pursuing excellence |
| LUCKY |
to have a supportive husband and family
who didn't mind the many week-ends that Mum was off shooting somewhere |
| LUCKY |
to have a coach/mentor who saw the
potential in me |
| LUCKY |
to have the mental capacity to recognise
and capitalise on the power of the brain |
| LUCKY |
to have the space and dedication to dry
fire at home |
| LUCKY |
to be able to drive a 110km round trip to
range training three times a week - giving me valuable time to work on
the mental skills of performance |
| LUCKY |
that when my shooting jacket was stolen
just prior to a selection series, a wonderful lady offered me hers
without question - part of the support network |
| LUCKY |
that I was able to mix a bit of talent,
with a lot of hard work and boundless fun |
| LUCKY |
that friendships that I made in those
early years, have remained strong today - some 25 years on |
So the question is - are you
lucky? Can you see how to be luckier? The top shooters will tell you
that they work hardest in training and then enjoy the match and let it
happen. Too often club shooters do it the other way round without the
success they hope for!
| How
to be lucky....in
just a few sentences.... |
 |
Think about
your ultimate shooting dream - put the thoughts on paper and in a place
where you will see it often! Brain cells need reminding |
|
Plan what you
intend to do to achieve this goal - get outside help if need be.
There are good articles available in the TRA magazine and the website -
ask a good coach |
|
Consider that
success takes time, energy and hard work - what are you prepared to do
to achieve success.... sit back and hope or get up and work for it |
|
Be open to
ideas and learn from those around you. Watch those who are
successful and learn from their little tricks |
|
Be sure of the
little things - learn the basics well and be prepared to practice the
winning skills well and often |
|
The sport
is a series of simple steps -
STEP 1) hold the rifle still, pointing in the middle of the target -
release the trigger
STEP 2) repeat step 1. |
|
Be happy that
the focus on performance is greater than the outcome or score.
While the medals may be awarded for the outcome, it is the shooter who
works hardest on their performance, has the greatest glow and personal
satisfaction |
Now the secret is out and the formula
explained. Those who stand on the dias to receive medals are lucky - they
have had a chance to demonstrate just how hard they have worked and been
rewarded for that effort.
And
remember......the harder you work, the luckier you get!